Halfway point of the 6-Man League season

Veterans League

Preview of the Veterans 6-Man League fixtures for Monday 6 July

There is a Division 1 top-of-the-table clash at Clayton West this Monday as the Clayton West A hosts take on second-placed Marsh United A who sit just 3-points behind the leaders. The reverse of this fixture is the last match of the season for both teams and this could be a rehearsal for that possible title decider. With home advantage the Clayton team will expect to win this fixture as they have done all the previous five home fixtures they have played this season.

Broad Oak A are behind the two leading teams and the fact that they have won more matches than either of the top two but still sit behind them, must rankle with them. With a home match against lowly Lindley Lib A on Monday they can narrow the gap and start to launch a run of results to embed them firmly in the title race. The 4th and 5th placed teams, Waterloo and Slaithwaite go up against each other and if either are to get into the title race they need to win this match. Waterloo are in their best run of results this season winning their last three fixtures, two by the same 7-0 scoreline, one of those against the Division 1 leaders, so will fancy their chances although playing away from home will not enhance their hopes.

Skel Windmill A and Thongsbridge A are becoming more and more adrift of other teams in the bottom half of the table but both have home matches this week which they really need to win if they are to retain any hopes of avoiding the drop. Thongsbridge A have won both of their last two home matches, both against top four teams, so a visit from a mid-table Milnsbridge A team should hold few fears for them.

The Division 2 leaders, New Mill A have an away trip to play Longwood this week, safe in the knowledge that it is very unlikely that they can be deprived of top spot this week. With their two main rivals, Brockholes A and Holmfirth A, meeting each other, it is likely that their lead will increase over at least one of those two contenders.

Two relegation-threatened teams meet up this Monday as bottom-of-the-table Brockholes B travel to play third from bottom Milnsbridge B. With only three points between the teams a positive outcome is key for both. Denby Dale are sat between these two teams and with an away fixture against Almondbury Lib will fear the worst and could be occupying the bottom spot come Monday evening. Paddock I&C are very much in that relegation battle but welcome a Golcar Lib A side that hasn't won an away match all season.

After losing their 100% Division 3 win record last week, Thongsbridge B will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways away to a struggling Greenhead Park A team. They still have that insurance of an eight-point lead over Hemplow A who have third-placed Crosland Moor as visitors this Monday. The 4th and 5th placed teams, Clayton West B and Golcar Lib B meet up with diminishing hopes of featuring in the promotion race as the gap widens despite their best efforts.

Eight points separate the bottom five teams who are all involved in trying to avoid the drop and there is a key meeting of the bottom two teams this week. Both are struggling to reach any sort of form in recent weeks so it maybe that home advantage is crucial which will favour Marsh Lib B over Elland C&BC.

New Mill B are in third place in the Division 4 table, 11 points behind the leaders but only one point off the second promotion place held by Meltham who don't play until Friday. This week the New Mill team host the leaders, Netherton Con B, and will be aiming to inflict a second defeat of the season on the leaders and narrow that gap between the teams.

Brockholes D had their first win of the season last week and will do well to follow that up when playing away at Holmfirth B this week.